Congresswoman Laura Richardson Alarmed by Homeland Security Grant Cuts

Press Release

Today, Congresswoman Laura Richardson released the following statement and expressed concern over the drastic cuts in the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) recent release of its Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 Preparedness Grant Guidance.

"As the Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response and Communication, I know the importance of community readiness and the critical role that our first responders, law enforcement, and firefighters play during an emergency. I will continue to be an advocate for our safety personnel that put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe."
"The announcement by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is a result of a Republican budget that puts millionaires above our national security. Many of the proposed cuts will have a direct impact on California's 37th Congressional District. Rest assured, I will continue to work with Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano on ensuring that the highest-risk communities receive the highest funding levels."

While DHS will announce the direct grant allocations later this year, below is the FY 2011 funding levels that will receive reductions in FY 2012:

* The Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) assists high-density urban areas in building an enhanced and sustainable system to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism. This program will receive a 26 percent cut in FY 2012. The Long Beach/Los Angeles area received $69,922,146 in UASI funding in FY 2011, in which $19,087,867 was allocated towards law enforcement and terrorism prevention activities.

* The Port Security Grant Program supports improving a port's ability to prevent, detect, respond, and recover from a terrorist attack through training and safety improvements. The Port Security Grant Program will receive a 59 percent cut over FY 2011 levels. The Long Beach/Los Angeles ports received $24,538,191 in Port Security Grant Program funds in FY 2011.

* The State Homeland Security Grant Program supports the implementation of a strategy to identify planning, organization, equipment, training, and exercise needs at the state and local levels to prevent, protect, respond, and recover from acts of terrorism and other catastrophic events. This program will receive a 26 percent cut in FY 2012 funding levels compared to FY 2011. California received $72,983,062 in FY 2011, which $24,710,393 was dedicated to law enforcement and terrorism prevention activities.

* The Transit Security Grant Program is designed to protect critical infrastructure and the traveling public from acts of terrorism, major disasters and other emergencies. This program will receive a 56 percent over FY 2011 funding levels. Los Angeles County received $5,744,329 in FY 2011.

* The Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program supports coordination of regional all-hazard planning for catastrophic events. This program is eliminated in FY 2012. The Long Beach/Los Angeles area received $1, 281,976 in FY 2011.Today, Congresswoman Laura Richardson released the following statement and expressed concern over the drastic cuts in the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) recent release of its Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 Preparedness Grant Guidance.

"The announcement by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is a result of a Republican budget that puts millionaires above our national security. Many of the proposed cuts will have a direct impact on California's 37th Congressional District. Rest assured, I will continue to work with Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano on ensuring that the highest-risk communities receive the highest funding levels."

While DHS will announce the direct grant allocations later this year, below is the FY 2011 funding levels that will receive reductions in FY 2012:

* The Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) assists high-density urban areas in building an enhanced and sustainable system to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism. This program will receive a 26 percent cut in FY 2012. The Long Beach/Los Angeles area received $69,922,146 in UASI funding in FY 2011, in which $19,087,867 was allocated towards law enforcement and terrorism prevention activities.

* The Port Security Grant Program supports improving a port's ability to prevent, detect, respond, and recover from a terrorist attack through training and safety improvements. The Port Security Grant Program will receive a 59 percent cut over FY 2011 levels. The Long Beach/Los Angeles ports received $24,538,191 in Port Security Grant Program funds in FY 2011.

* The State Homeland Security Grant Program supports the implementation of a strategy to identify planning, organization, equipment, training, and exercise needs at the state and local levels to prevent, protect, respond, and recover from acts of terrorism and other catastrophic events. This program will receive a 26 percent cut in FY 2012 funding levels compared to FY 2011. California received $72,983,062 in FY 2011, which $24,710,393 was dedicated to law enforcement and terrorism prevention activities.

* The Transit Security Grant Program is designed to protect critical infrastructure and the traveling public from acts of terrorism, major disasters and other emergencies. This program will receive a 56 percent over FY 2011 funding levels. Los Angeles County received $5,744,329 in FY 2011.

* The Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program supports coordination of regional all-hazard planning for catastrophic events. This program is eliminated in FY 2012. The Long Beach/Los Angeles area received $1, 281,976 in FY 2011.

"As the Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response and Communication, I know the importance of community readiness and the critical role that our first responders, law enforcement, and firefighters play during an emergency. I will continue to be an advocate for our safety personnel that put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe."

"As the Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response and Communication, I know the importance of community readiness and the critical role that our first responders, law enforcement, and firefighters play during an emergency. I will continue to be an advocate for our safety personnel that put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe."

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